18 September 2018

The third meeting of the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Program between the State of Qatar and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started on Monday at the NATO's headquarters in Brussels.

HE Ambassador of Qatar to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Qatari Mission to NATO Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi headed Qatar delegation participating in the meeting, while HE Head of NATO's Middle East and North Africa Section Nicola de Santis headed the NATO's delegation in the meeting.

Also, a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Defense and representatives of the organs and ministries of the State attended the meeting.

In his speech, HE Ambassador Al Khulaifi addressed the relations between Qatar and NATO, describing it as strategic and deep.

He also pointed to the many areas that witnessed intensive cooperation between the two sides, which included the hosting of the State of Qatar for the NATO's meetings and events, and its participation in the tasks undertaken by NATO with the mandate of the Security Council, the latest of which is NATO's strong support mission in Afghanistan.

HE Ambassador Al Khulaifi pointed out that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to NATO headquarters in March came to give these relations a strong impetus and great momentum.

HE the Ambassador also highlighted the agreements signed between the two sides, such as the security agreement and the agreement on the positioning of NATO forces, in addition to the program of individual partnership and cooperation between the two sides.

HE Ambassador Al Khulaifi explained that the State of Qatar had been targeted by some of its neighbors who imposed a siege on it in order to undermine its status and gains as well as to deprive its independent decision, but the people of Qatar, the government and the people, and through their unity, alignment, cohesion, and solidarity behind their wise leadership served as a strong wall in the face of the siege.

He noted that the Qatari people succeeded in thwarting those countries' opportunity and have yielded countless gains to make Qatar stronger, and more dependent on itself in the fields of production and processing.

HE the Ambassador noted that the relations between the State of Qatar and NATO will be reflected positively on security and peace in the Gulf region, the Middle East and the rest of the world.